Alan

I leaned against Diana's locker, waiting for her to arrive at school. I had told Maddie that I had a guitar lesson, and she was now in the cafeteria with Stella and Hayley. The date with Maddie had been extremely awkward, not to mention Austin had been giving Hayley and I weird stares all night. We had gone out to a pizza place, and Hayley hadn't seemed to want Austin as a date, just someone else to witness Maddie's and I's "first date". Besides, nothing would ever emerge between them romantically - Austin treated her far too much like a younger sister or cousin, and was very protective of her.

After we had ordered pizza and eaten, I had been forced to sit there for another half hour while the girls finished their drinks, with Maddie hanging onto my arm like I was the only lifeboat in a flood.

I shifted my position leaning on the lockers, stretching to relax my muscles, the returning to roughly the same stance, only this time swapping the weight onto my other leg. I looked down the hallway to my left; Diana still wasn't here, her brown hair waving all over the place as she stormed through the school. To my right was useless to search for her; it only led deeper into the maze of corridors, classrooms and cleaner's closets that were perfect for sneaking into for a quick pash.

The bell rang and I trudged to my locker, grabbing my books and going to homeroom. The rest of the day flew by, with Diana also being a no show to third period music. I didn't really understand why she would miss this class, she clearly enjoyed singing and I can't imagine someone skipping their favourite class.

By lunchtime I had determined that Diana hasn't gone to the dentist or the doctor's and was returning to school. I tried to avoid Stella for as long as possible, but it didn't really work. As soon as I entered the cafeteria Stella had called me over, sending a hush over the cacophonous room, her voice ringing out above the other students'. She sat me next to Maddie and Hayley, as if to test my loyalties to them both. Hayley, however, ignored me, talking to Justin the entire time about hockey and practice sessions. Maddie must have found superglue this time around and applied it heavily. I inwardly rolled my eyes; this was going to take forever.
I had hockey with Justin next, about two hours of almost non stop running, push ups and yelling from our coach.

I didn't mind how harsh he was, he was also my health teacher and was a completely different guy in class; he didn't treat me any different to my classmates or expect more from me because I was I a sporting team. He gave me extra help if he knew I was struggling with a topic - he didn't want me taken off the team because my grades had slipped - but he did that with everyone else too.

'Good workout today, huh?' Justin said, walking next to me as we entered the change rooms. I nodded, my face as red as my hair and my breathing laboured.

'I guess.' I said quietly, having a quick rinse off and throwing my clothes back on.

'You're getting changed faster than usual,' Justin commented, taking his time. It was true, I was usually one of the last out of the change rooms. 'Got a sweet date with Mads?'

I looked up at him from tying my shoelaces. 'Who?' Justin rolled his eyes,

'Your new girlfriend, remember?'

'Oh no,' I said quickly, trying to cover up my mistake, 'I'm just trying to get away from the awful stench you're giving off.' I smiled at him, punching his upper arm lightly before grabbing my bag and rushing out of the locker rooms, headed home.

The next day

Still Alan's POV

Dark hair, teased up, spider bites on display with a heart lip stud and a dazzling green lip ring to show off her style, Diana marched right up to where I was leaning against her locker, her eyes glittering dangerously, framed by mascara coated lashes and eyelids also decorated in emerald green. She pushed me, anger blazing.

I turned and started walking away, hoping for her to follow.

'Hey! Get back here!' She screeched, running after me. I could hear her footfalls on the linoleum floor. I started up a light jog, heading out to the middle of the front grass area of the school. Most of the student body was here, and I was grateful. Not that she was going to hurt me, but to witness what was about to happen. I turned around and saw Diana had slowed her step, looking around warily. She was most likely waiting for Stella to stalk out from behind the bushes and scratch her nails down her face.

'What, Diana?' I asked, my eyes soft as I took in her appearance. She had collaborated her green makeup with a green plaid three quarter sleeve shirt and a black band tank top underneath, dark green skinnies on her legs and Doc Martins on her feet. She simply pushed me again, harder this time.

'I have no words for you, Ashby.' She spat, her eyes welling up. She shook her head, allowing her hair to fall in front of her face.

'Well, I have words for you Diana.'

'Really? What can you possibly say?' Diana's intrigue forced her to stay.

'Hey, everyone, gather around!' I yelled, throwing my hands up in the air. Diana looked around, her eyes wide. She stepped back uncertainly, bumping into five guys that had crept up behind her, hearing my call.

'Go on, to Ashby,' one of them taunted her, pushing her forward, sending her tumbling towards the ground. She fell rather ungracefully, her legs tangled and her arms under her midsection. Laughter ensued as the crowd that had gathered teased Diana for her spill. She wriggled around and stood up, brushing herself off before whirling to meet the boys again. They were much taller than her and were once again invading her personal space. She stepped back and before she knew it was in the middle of a circle. At least one hundred spectators, by the look of it. I saw the fright in her eyes, and inside she was cowering. On the outside, she stuck her chin out and lifted her head, taking up a defensive stance, legs apart and knees unlocked.

'Why is everyone here?' I asked, the rhetorical question in air. The schoolyard was sudden dead quiet. Someone coughed, and a few people shushed them.

'I'll tell you why,' Diana rolled her eyes at me as I smirked at her, continuing my sentence, 'this is Diana. She's tough, she fights back, tooth and claw,' she moved her fingers almost unnoticeablely 'but does anyone actually know her?' Another girl burst into our circle, the girl that Diana had been hanging out with lately.

'Diana!' She screamed, lunging for her friend. Someone grabbed her and held her back, while she struggled.

'Shut up, Jess.' Diana said, shooting her friend a glare. Jess immediately quietened, but arms were still kept locked firmly around her.

'No one,' I said, 'better get out your phones, guys,' I looked around the circle, 'you won't want to miss this.' I stepped closer to Diana, one fleeting thought entering my mind and leaving again, marking itself on the inside of my conscious.

And when it all goes to hell, take this to your grave.

Diana looked up at me, unsure of my next move. I cradled my face in hers, and she closed her eyes, savouring my touch.

'Sock her in the face!' Someone yelled, and others made noises of approval. Diana's eyes flew open and she stared into my eyes, ready to flee at a moment's notice if I moved my arm in any way possible to indicate that my fist would be meeting her face. In my peripheral vision I saw Maddie push her way through the crowd, smiling as she saw me grasping Diana's face. She blew me a kiss, crossing her arms and jutting out her hip as she said,

'What Danny said, boo.'

Diana jerked backwards, but I moved my arms to around her waist, and she leaned backwards, almost falling backwards. I moved my left arm so that it was just under her ribcage, supporting her stance, and I leaned over her, slamming my lips on hers. Shocked gasps and murmurs ran around the crowd, and Diana instinctively threw her arms around me, holding herself to me. I deepened the kiss, and our tongues danced.

'Alan!' I heard Maddie say faintly. I wasn't paying attention, all I saw, heard, felt, was Diana. She overpowered my senses, leaving me dizzy and intoxicated. She pulled away and grabbed my hand,

'Run.'

Notes

Title cred: The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes - Fall Out Boy
So. Thoughts, guys? :D